Many people have experienced a tingling sensation or “goosebumps,” especially during moments of intense positive emotion like awe or excitement.But for some, this response is triggered by specific sounds. Online videos featuring whispering,crackling sounds,or the brushing of a microphone are designed too evoke this positive tingle-known as the autonomous sensory meridian response,or ASMR.

While not everyone experiences ASMR, those who do often report reduced anxiety and improved sleep. But what does the scientific evidence reveal?

Understanding ASMR

ASMR is defined as an involuntary emotional and physical reaction, typically prompted by auditory stimuli, that induces a tingling sensation on the scalp and back of the neck.

This multi-sensory experience can evoke feelings of euphoria and “psychological stability,” leading to a sense of calm and reduced inner turmoil.

“ASMR is an involuntary emotional and physical response…that induces a tingling sensation.”

Though,the neurological and physiological mechanisms underlying ASMR are still not fully understood.

Some researchers propose that ASMR is a form of frisson (French for “shiver”), where an intense emotional stimulus, like a touching scene in a film, triggers tingling sensations or “chills.”

Research indicates that these “skin orgasms” may result from a surge of dopamine in the brain’s reward centers.